Two Mumbai residents Mossab Ahdam alias Kalam Kalyan and Mohammad Hamad Kollara have been arrested in a joint operation by the Delhi Police Special Cell and the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad for allegedly plotting a bomb attack in Delhi using explosives concealed inside a toy car.
Investigators claim the suspects were radicalised through online extremist propaganda and had alleged links to militant groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed and Islamic State. The arrests were made in Mumbai’s Kurla and Kalyan areas before the suspects were transported to Delhi for interrogation.
Authorities say the duo had allegedly been communicating with a foreign handler connected to Jaish-e-Mohammed and were learning to assemble improvised explosive devices. Security agencies are also investigating whether the case is connected to a wider pan-India radicalisation network, with several minors reportedly under scrutiny for possible exposure to extremist propaganda.
Toy Car Bomb Plot Foiled
According to investigators, the arrests followed intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of a radicalised terror module operating in Maharashtra and potentially planning attacks in the national capital. Acting on these leads, officers from the Delhi Police Special Cell coordinated with the Maharashtra ATS to carry out raids in Mumbai, detaining the two suspects from Kurla and Kalyan.
Officials said preliminary findings indicate the accused had been learning how to assemble improvised explosive devices and were allegedly planning to conceal explosives inside a remote-controlled toy car. The unusual method was believed to have been chosen to bypass traditional security checks and potentially target crowded areas in Delhi. Investigators claim the suspects had been radicalised through online extremist networks such as “Mission Khilafat” and “Soldiers of Prophet”, where they were allegedly exposed to propaganda and guidance from handlers abroad.
Police sources further stated that the duo had been in contact with an individual identified as Abu Hufezah, believed to be associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and involved in online recruitment efforts. Authorities say sustained interrogation is underway to determine the suspects’ roles, possible collaborators and the stage of preparation the alleged attack had reached.
Probe Expands Into Radicalisation Network
Security agencies are now examining whether the arrests point to a broader extremist module operating across multiple states. Officials suspect the alleged plot may have been inspired by the ideology of Islamic State, which has increasingly relied on online channels to recruit and radicalise individuals globally.
Investigators have reportedly identified several other individuals who may have been influenced by similar propaganda networks. According to sources familiar with the investigation, four to five minors in Mumbai have come under the radar of authorities after being exposed to extremist content online. Agencies are now evaluating how to approach these cases, including whether counselling or rehabilitation measures may be appropriate.
The case highlights the growing challenge posed by digital radicalisation, where extremist groups attempt to recruit sympathisers through encrypted messaging platforms and social media communities. Security agencies say such networks can sometimes function as decentralised “modules”, enabling individuals in different cities to coordinate activities without direct physical contact. The arrests in Mumbai were reportedly part of a wider counter-terror operation aimed at dismantling suspected sleeper cells and preventing potential attacks before they materialise.
Authorities have emphasised that the investigation is still ongoing. Officials are currently examining electronic devices, financial transactions and communication records to determine the full scope of the alleged network, including possible funding sources and overseas connections.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The alleged foiling of the toy-car bomb plot is a reminder of the evolving nature of modern security threats and the ways extremist ideologies can spread in the digital age. While swift action by law-enforcement agencies can help prevent potential tragedies, the deeper challenge lies in addressing the conditions that allow radicalisation to take root particularly among young people navigating online spaces.
Counter-terrorism cannot rely solely on surveillance and arrests; it also requires sustained investment in education, digital literacy and community-led initiatives that help people critically evaluate propaganda and resist narratives of hate. Equally important is ensuring that responses to security threats remain rooted in constitutional values, safeguarding social harmony and preventing fear from dividing communities.
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